Ukraine's Zelensky wants the entire territory restored
Key Takeaways:
- Despite Russia's continued aggression against Ukraine, President Volodymyr Zelensky has stated that the country's territory, including Crimea, will be fully restored.
- Russia has shown no signs of backing down after nearly ten weeks in the war. Thousands of people have been killed, but the exact number is unknown.
- Russian forces have renewed their attacks on the Azovstal steel plant in Mariupol, Ukraine's last bastion of resistance.
While Russia continues to attack Ukraine, President Volodymyr Zelensky has stated that the country's territory, including Crimea, will be fully restored. According to Ukrainian media - the Kyiv Independent - Zelensky mentioned the top 3 goals while talking at the Wall Street Journal's CEO council summit: to halt Russia's advance, reclaim territory, as well as restore Ukraine's entire territory through diplomacy.
Zelensky stated that Ukraine would "not retreat," and victory would be theirs. He also accused Russia of breaking agreements to pause fighting long enough for vulnerable civilians to be relocated to safety, including the UN-coordinated operation at the Mariupol steelworks. "They're still at odds. They're still shooting and bombarding. As a result, a cease-fire is required. We're in desperate need of a break, "Zelensky said via video conferencing at the WSJ event.
After almost ten weeks in the war, Russia shows no signs of backing down. Thousands of people have been killed, but no exact figure has been given. Several cities, structures, and personal belongings have been destroyed. Over 5 million Ukrainians are said to have been forced to flee the country. Mariupol, a city of 400,000 people before Russia invaded on February 24, has been one of the worst-affected areas in Ukraine's war-torn country.
According to Ukrainian defenders, Russian forces renewed their attacks on the Azovstal steel plant in Mariupol, Ukraine's last bastion of resistance. Russia stormed the steel mill just as tens of thousands of civilians were evacuated from the bombed-out plant to safety.
As per the Associated Press, "thanks to the weekend evacuation effort, 101 people — including women, the elderly, and 17 children, the youngest of whom is 6 months old — were able to emerge from the bunkers beneath the Azovstal steelworks."